thesuse2000

I just hit 100 down this week so posting updated pics. SO freaking happy with my results. I love looking at everyone else's pics! You all have helped inspire me to get where I am. Hoping to lose a few more, but pretty darn happy where I am. I've gone from size 22 to a 10/12. Oh - I took these before pics just before starting the pre-op diet, but I was already a few pounds down from my highest a few months prior...

Thanks - this is a great article. And I'm happy to see that it aligns with my plan as well. I was just PMing with a friend from this site and saying that I do plan to indulge in a few things over the holidays, but will work to resist going into that zone of "oh what the heck - it's the holidays!" It's about control, but a few extra allowances just so you don't feel like you're missing out.

I'm not done yet - but feeling good!

Can you imagine if people in communities suffering from starvation/malnutrition said to their children - Don't eat all of that! There are obese children in America!

I kind of agree with Jane. Also - from the data I've seen, there isn't that much evidence of better heath for those in the "normal" BMI set vs those in the overweight set. My goal is to get to a healthy weight that I can maintain longterm. I'm shooting for a normal BMI, but if that proves to be too hard - if I don't feel well and satisfied and confident about maintaining - at a normal BMI, or in my attempts to get there, then I will (strive to) not feel like a failure landing in the overweight zone. That will still be a huge success for me, since I haven't ever been able to maintain my weight in that zone as an adult. And the data I've seen indicates that I'll still have a greatly reduced risk of diabetes, heart attack, stroke, etc. To Jane's point, I think it's actually really great for people to alllow themselves to feel successful without achieving a normal BMI. And most doctors don't see success as normal BMI either - my understanding is that most see success as at least 50% loss of excess weight, ideally getting under a 30 BMI, or closer to your lowest adult weight. With all that said - I'm sure that self-perceptions do play a role and can hamper success. For some it may be scary to become skinny and perceived in a different way. And that may be something to work on, or it may be a valid issue of comfort that influences how far someone wants to take it. I just think everyone should strive for what will work best for them - we all want different things.

Hi there - I just want to make sure you know that the area you're describing is actually where your band is. I just learned that recently - on an esophogram I could clearly see the wires from my underwire bra, and the band was behind the lower inner quadrant of my left breast. I hope the pain has passed by now, but if not, it would be a good idea to give your doctor a call to run it by them. I hope all is well!

I'm down about 50 pounds, and am just starting to notice some sag on my upper arms and upper thighs. It's totally bumming me out! Spring is here and I don't feel like I can wear sleeveless tops. It's not thaaaat bad, but bad enough that I don't want anyone to see. I've been losing well the last couple months, and now that I've noticed this I'm losing motivation to lose more. It makes me want to wait a bit for my skin to catch up before losing more. But that's probably just crazy - or an excuse to eat sweets... I'm 5' 7" and started at 256 - I'm almost to onederland, I should just keep going... but I don't know if I'll be able to afford PS, so I'm just ambivalent...

I've had problems with rolls actually - it's the seaweed wrapper that gets me. I can do nigiri - the individual pieces of fish over rice - without a problem however, so I just opt for those. It just depends on how tight you are, and everyone is different for some reason, so try it out!

Red Tulip - you're awesome! Your story is so inspiring - and I really appreciate your thoughts about the importance of self-acceptance. It's rare to see that sort of empathy and understanding from someone who DID have the experience of being loved/cherished. I have always struggled with feeling unworthy - and my weight has become entrenched with that identity. I definitely think that's played a role in my plateau in recent months. While it's exciting to feel more like a normal attractive woman, in some ways it's less comfortable for me than just being in the familiar fat chick role. So the motivation to stay on track and keep losing gets weakened because I'm still adjusting to where I am now. But without the band I would have regained everything by now. As it is I've just gained a couple pounds and am now getting ready to get back into it. It helps to have a good shrink and work through all this! With hard work - mentally and physically - I'm hopeful that, with the help of the band and therapist, I'll be able to overcome my battle with my weight, overeating, and low self-worth. Thanks for sharing your story - and your empathic perspective. It's great food for thought (not fattening either! :rose: ) -Susan

I lost 70 pounds about 10 years ago. I maintained it for about a year and then started to struggle. Despite repeated efforts to lose rather than gain I yo-yo'd back up over the years and back up to the same high of 256. Since being banded it's just so amazing to have a sense of control back. I've felt SO out of control of my eating for so long - I'd be eating crap and hating myself for doing it - it was really depressing. So, not only have I lost 35 since being banded a few months ago (including pre-op) but more importantly I have hope for the first time in ages that I'll be able to actually meet my goal and then maintain a healthy weight for the rest of my life - without suffering! Sure I do have to make smart choices, but the band makes it so much more possible for me to make those better choices. I love my band - and highly recommend it. Good luck with your decision! -Susan

Everyone is different, but I can tell you that I'm somewhat prone to depression myself and actually weaned off an antidepressant I'd been taking for years just a few months before my surgery. My BF was worried about that issue too, but I've been just fine! Sure I have some down or crabby days, but overall I'm feeling more confident and that makes me feel a bit better overall. Also I feel less out of control with my eating and that reduces my anxiety - which is closely related to depression. I think it's really nice that you came on here to learn more and get answers to your concerns! Sounds like you love your "old lady" and want her to be happy. As far as eating and whatnot I find that my band doesn't impact my social life much at all - I can eat most things - I eat slower and less, so I generally eat at the same pace as others - it's really not an issue for me. Good luck to you both! Susan

If you've got a good blender or food processor you can turn pretty much anything into soup. When I was on full liquids I started pureeing various soups when I got sick of the cream of whatever soup all the time. I started craving veggies too, so I would puree some steamed broccoli and mix that into my soups. I'd also puree lunchmeat to add to my soups. My favorite combos: - cream of chicken with pureed chicken or turkey - split pea soup with pureed ham - tomato soup with pureed tuna and parmigiano cheese (sounds, weird but it's good! And also fudgsicles - oh man, those saved my life! Good luck! Susan

Oh - you're pre-op, I assumed you were on post-op liquids. In that case I'd say go for whatever works for you as long as you stay within your calorie requirements. Good luck! Susan